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Hot Rods Converting '55 Chevy 12 V starter to 6 Volt

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Chris Haynes, Jan 24, 2025.

  1. Has anyone converted a '55 Chevy V8 12 V starter to 6 Volt?
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2025
  2. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 11,350

    BJR
    Member

    Why not convert the car to 12 volt?
     
  3. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 9,056

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    What are you building? If it's an honest to God 1955 starter with the external solenoid linkage, there are probably older 6 volt Delco starters that you could bolt the Chevrolet starter nose to.
     
    irishsteve likes this.
  4. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 36,033

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Well lets cut out the bs and find out exactly what the hell you are attempting to do so one of us can come up with a reasonable answer for you.
    Mainly: what engine?
    What vehicle?

    If you are putting a later 235 in a 54 or earlier Chevy you just use the 139 tooth six volt flywheel and the six volt starter and be ******** done with it. 6 volt have 139 tooth ring gears and 12 volt 235/261 have 168 tooth ring gear.
     
  5. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 37,674

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Budget36 and SS327 like this.
  6. Last edited: Jan 24, 2025
  7. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 37,674

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    like you were told last time is the 12 volt and six volt starters at so physically different that the six volt field coils and armatures will not fit the 12 volt starter housings. Remind us why you can’t convert the car to 12 volts? It has been done thousands and thousands of times since the fifties and is very easy. You do not need to rewire the car to do it as 6 volt wiring is built to carry more amps and will work fine on 12 volts
     
  8. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 36,033

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    My go to Auto electric guy who could do it if it could be done retired and closed his business several years ago. He is on the Hamb but I don't know if he ever checks in. As he didn't answer one way or the other I'd have to believe that you are wanting to do something that may not be possible.
    When I took my apprenticeship test with the Seattle union hall for Auto Mechanics in 1967 I couldn't answer one quiestion on the three pages of rewinding starters and genrators but still got the highest score in the group I took the apprenticeship test with. Then I got drafted before I started work.
    I'm going to asume that you do not have a 235 or 261 six that would be pretty simple as I said in post 4.
     
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  9. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 60,008

    squirrel
    Member

    because there is no way to do it.
     
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  10. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 60,008

    squirrel
    Member

    ...long ways, or across?
     
  11. Across.
    Then re-attach the end. It needs that bearing
    Of could just remove 1/2 the brushes.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2025
    squirrel likes this.
  12. Why in the hell does it matter "why" someone wants to do something? It doesn't matter, it's none of your damn business "why"! Can't someone post a question and get an answer without all the ********? This is just like going into a big name auto parts store for a part and they ask you every question in the world that has nothing to do with what you're after. Think about it, that's exactly what you're doing. So cut the bs and answer the question or shut the hell up already.

    Moderators, if you want to delete this post please feel free to do so. But it needed to be said.

    Larry
     
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  13. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,413

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

  14. I don’t get asked questions at the parts store.

    I give em part numbers


    The question has been answered by one of the smartest guys on the board in the first thread about the subject and this one.

    That person has stated they tried it.
    Ive got both starters at my shop. They look physically different
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2025
  15. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 37,674

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Why ask why? because this is a question that I had never heard asked before and because it is infinitely simpler to convert the car to 12 volt. We still do not know what kind of car it is.... The physical size of the 55 chev starter prevents it from accepting 6 volt field coils and armature.
     
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  16. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 15,355

    Budget36
    Member

    The other thread, I believe it was said is a ‘53? Chevy.
    Not that it matters…
     
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  17. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 15,355

    Budget36
    Member

    So maybe we can mention what it takes to convert to 12 volts.
    Off the top of my head:
    Battery
    Headlights
    Marker/tail/turn signal lights(I think the 6 v sockets will accept 12 volt bulbs.
    The dash lights, use a voltage reducer, Runtz , Ford or Mopar reducer from the 70’s
    Generator
    For the heater motor, size 12 volt motors that will interchange. Or (I don’t like them) the large ceramic reducers.
    Change coil to 12 volts, add ballast resistor.
    May involve a different ignition switch, unsure what was used in the ‘53? Chevy.
    Anything else?

    Oh, 12 volt regulator.
     
  18. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 36,033

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    It doesn't need a different ignition switch as you can use the correct push ****on starter ****on if going from stomp pedal to a solenoid starter. Put the starter ****on under the dash out of sight and in easy reach and the guy riding with you won't know you did anything except turn the key. Or use a tractor floor mount starter ****on and the stomp pedal pedal piece on the floor in the original spot.
     
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  19. I was out of line and I apologize. I was having a sh!tty day, I got on the HAMB and that was the result. Again, I apologize.

    I know what the problem is, the problem is I don't know enough about cars, engines, starters, etc to know that these questions need to be answered in order to accomplish the task.

    Larry
     
  20. There's been quite a few swaps and conversions over the years said to be impossible that I figured out the solution to. And many of those I'll take the info to my grave after telling a guy how to bolt up a built 400 sbc to a five speed from a 2.5 four cylinder with the advice of either not doing it or at least take it super easy. He did it and beat on it and then tried to blame me for the carnage lol
     
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  21. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 36,033

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I saw that more than once when the sbc in an S-10 swap was the hot lick. I watched a guy with a strong small block and too much tire destroy one while doing a show off burn out in front of a group of rodders back then.
     
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  22. Dude was really mad because he had to buy two or three clutch kits to make it work. Even though I told him it'd frag the trans lol
     
  23. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 60,008

    squirrel
    Member

    If you figure out how to convert a 12v Chevy starter to 6v, please let me know. It would be interesting to see, and I'd learn something
     
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  24. I honestly haven't owned a 6v starter since I turned the original starter from my 53 in as the core for the Wilson reman starter for my 283 in 2020 lol. Mainly that comment was more of a reinforcement of just because someone can do it doesn't mean it should be done. Of course if someone wanted to donate a 6v 235 starter I could compare parts to my original 57 starter lol
     
  25. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 15,355

    Budget36
    Member

    How about a 6 volt starter, spend $$$ on a special flywheel / flex plate.

    or just covert to 12volts;)
     
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  26. twenty8
    Joined: Apr 8, 2021
    Posts: 3,709

    twenty8
    Member

    Sometimes, the question asked will determine the calibre of the answers......
     
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  27. Roger O'Dell
    Joined: Jan 21, 2008
    Posts: 1,162

    Roger O'Dell
    Member

    If you want 12 volts just for the starter ,12 volt battery wired to starter and 12 volt gen/alt , then from 12 volt isolated circuit to converters , but most are for 10:amp circuits, but larger may be out there. I can’t think offhand of any older car , but I don’t Remember headlight requirements
     
  28. Kerrynzl
    Joined: Jun 20, 2010
    Posts: 3,627

    Kerrynzl
    Member

  29. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,413

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    ^^^^^ No conclusion since his famous last words. IMG_3767.jpeg
     
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